The teaching career of tough-talking former Big Brother housemate Janine Orderson hangs in the balance, but she remains unfazed. Nazarene Khan reports
Janine has been widely condemned because of her antics on the banal reality television programme Big Brother. The Western Cape teacher is currently under fire from the education authorities over her conduct before her eviction from the house in October.
While on the show, Orderson, a mother-of-two, simulated sex acts, nibbled fellow contestant Irvan’s toes and got up to sexual activity beneath the sheets. The South African Council for Educators (SACE) is currently investigating her behaviour and has warned that she might face the axe.
However, in an interview, Orderson revealed that the organisers of Big Brother had provided her and the other housemates with a platform to express themselves. “I used every opportunity I got. But I couldn’t understand the tasks all the time. I am not really a creative person. And that’s how the cucumber issue was started. It was Irvan’s suggestion. I can’t understand what all the fuss was about. “I am a person with feelings and lots of sides to my personality, not just a mother and a teacher. What people forget is that we were in the house, and I was just living, not always aware of the cameras. I wasn’t always thinking of what people would say or even that people were watching.
“Big Brother could hear and see us all the time we were planning things, and if he felt something was inappropriate, he could have told us not to go ahead.”
Janine added: “People wonder about my children and their reactions, but my kids did not watch Big Brother. However, they know I am not just their mother, but also a woman. I do not expose my kids to the men I date. The only man they have known me to be with is their father. I only introduce them to my dates if the relationship starts getting serious.
“Life after Big Brother has been put on hold because of the SACE investigation. I am not allowed to make any appearances without the department’s permission. All I am to them is a salary number.” Janine said she has had an empty feeling for a long time. “There is so much more in me to give, but the system makes that difficult. Ever since outcomes-based education started, I have had this feeling, because there is just no support from the Department of Education.
“I feel like a part-time ‘photocopyist’ -always making copies of notes. These kids need so much more. I see the pain. My kids come to school drenched, their shoes are broken and they live in poverty. People ignore this, but I cannot.”
She said she has received encouragement from a few teachers, including “my friend Bonnie and our school principal, Mr Rademeyer, who has been wonderful and so supportive”. Janine said she is glad to have “my life back and to leave the house when I did. I couldn’t stand being around Irvan and him ignoring me. In the real world you can move away from people like that, but in the house there’s nowhere to go.”
She said the saddest thing about the game is that you think you are going to win, not knowing that the public despise you.
“But I have no regrets. I am accountable for my actions and don’t mind explaining myself. Whether I have made a positive or a negative impression, I don’t know. I do know that I have made an impression and I don’t think that the other housemates can say the same.”
EDUCATORS MUST BE POSITIVE ROLE MODELS
Dear Sir
The shocking photo of Big Brother’s Janine with a cucumber on the front page of the October edition of the Teacher is disgusting, and a humiliation for all teachers and children.
We recently received a circular from the Western Cape Department of Education about Values in Education. I quote from it: “The role of educators as positive role-models cannot be over-emphasised, and each educator must set a good example. Discussion of this matter should be encouraged at all institutions.”
Why you had to put this photo on the front page of your respectable newspaper I do not no. You must remember that the newspaper is in every school and is available to many children. The question is: Do you promote good values or do you destroy them?
I think you owe us all an apology, as well as an article where you as editor condemn Janine’s behaviour and demand her expulsion from the education field.
I plan to sent a copy of this letter to Minister of Education Kader Asmal.
We enjoy your newspaper, specially the good articles on new ideas. Please help us to build good values in our country.
AP Hanekom
Principal
Wesbank Primary School, Oudtshoorn
– The Teacher/M&G Media, Johannesburg, December 2001.